Signature-gatherer.



No.7|5,89.0. Patented Dec. l6, I902;

n. ma. & n. a. SMYTH & H. HASTINGS.

SIGNATURE GATHEREB. {Application filed Apr. 8, 1901. Renewed May 19, 1902.)

4 Sheats-$hoat I (No Model.)

No: 7|5,s9o. Patented Dec. l6, I902. 0. me. & n, a. SMYTH & n. HASTINGS.

SIGNATURE GATHERER. (Application filed. Apr. 8, 1901. Renewed May 19, 1902.)

(I10 Model.) 4 Sheets-Shoet 2-.

1:1: Ncnms pzvaws co, mom-urns. wswwamw. n c

.No.- 715,890. Patented Dec. I6, 1902..

0. McC. & n. a. SMYTH & a. HASTINGS.

SIGNATURE GATHEBEB.

(Application filed. Apr. 8, 1 901. Renewed May 19, 1902.) (In Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

RRIS PETER;*CO. Pnoro LIYNO MASH NGION No. 715,890." Patented Dec. l6, l 902.

D. M00. &. D. G. SMYTH 8'. H. HASTINGS.

SIGNATURE GATHERER.- (Application filed 'A r. 8, 1901. Renewed May 19, 1902.

4 Sheetswam! 4.

lo mum.)

' NITE TATES rmor OFFICE.

DAVID MGCONNELL SMYTH, OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, AND DAVID G.

SMYTI-I AND HERBERT HASTINGS,

OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, AS-

SIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO SMYTH MACHINE COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF ARIZONA TERRITORY.

SIGNATURE- GATHERER.

SPECIFlCATION forming part Of utters Patent No. 715,890, dated. December 16, 1902. Application filed April 8, 1901. Renewed May 19, 1902. Serial No. 108,011. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern: Be it known that we, DAVID McCoNNnLL SMYTH, of Pasadena, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, and DAVID G.

SMYTH and HERBERT HASTINGS, of Hartford,

in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, citizens of the United States, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Signature-Gatherers, of which the following is a specification.

Our present invention is a new departure in the means for holding the groups of signatures, in the means for removing the signatures of each group one at atime, and in the I5 operative form of. the machine and devices employed in connection therewith.

In carrying out Our invention we employ a rotary carrier of suspended platforms maintained in a fixed relation to vertical and hori- 2o zontal planes during the entire course of their rotary movement. Each of the platforms is fitted with a series of signature-carrying boxes that are formed by partitions, part of which are fixed and part of which are adjustable. The platforms are supported and their relation maintained by pairs of inner and outer wheels that are eccentric to one another and which are so connected that they travel together, and suckers are provided in series and advance toward the signatures in the boxes and all of which act simultaneously While the platforms are moving to remove from each box of one platform at a time a signature and to deliver the same into a receptacle of any suitable character, in which the signatures are superposed and from which they are removed, such receptacle, however, and the means of removing the signatures therefrom forming no part of our present invention. We provide devices in the signature-holding boxes for pushing the signatures along toward the delivery edge and fingers which hold the signatures at their lower edge and means for turning the rod on 5 which the fingers are mounted, so as to remove the fingers at the moment that the suckers act to draw out the lower edge of the signatures previous to removing the same,

said devices releasing the fingers immediately thereafter, so that they return to position, forming stops for the lower edges of the remaining signatures.

In our improvement the sucker devices are given a rocking motion, and by said devices the signatures are pressed 'upon, held, and the lower edge of the outermost signatures swung outwardly previous to removal, and devices are employed for operating and advancing the sucker devices in unison with the rotary movements of the platforms, and other devices operate the exhaust to efiect the action of the suckers, all of which devices are hereinafter more particularly set forth.

In the drawings, Figure l is an elevation at one end of the machine. Fig. 2 is an elevation at the front of the machine. Fig. 3 is an elevation and partial section of parts shown in Fig. 1 in dotted lines as they appear on the removal of a cam-wheel. Fig. 4 is an elevation and partial section of a frame part at the opposite end to that shown in Fig. 1, the said parts being shown in their relation to parts of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an elevation and partial section of the opposite side of the cam-wheel shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an elevation and partial section of the power-shaft and driving-worm shown in Fig. 1, Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 being adjuncts to Figs. 1 and 2 to clearly show the details of parts. Fig. 7 is a partial plan view; and Fig. 8, an elevation and vertical section at 0c 09 of the parts shown in Fig. 7, the same representing the signaturecarrying boxes, the sucker device in operation, the means for actuating the same, and the exhaust device. Fig. 9 is an elevation and partial section of the sucker and the devices for operating the same in a state of rest. Fig. 10 is a face view of the sucker. Fig. 11 is a cross-section through the exhaust valve and pipe, showing the support therefor and the means for operating it. Fig. 12 is an elevation and partial section at y y, Fig. 8, of the means of support for the sucker-operating devices and the exhaust devices. Fig. 13

is an elevation and partial section of the devices for actuating the fingers employed for holding the lower edges of the signatures. Fig. 14 is an elevation at the lower edge of one of the platforms and signature-holding boxes, showing the said fingers and the devices for operating the same after the first movement; and Fig. 15 is an elevation and partial section similar to Fig. 13, showing the finger operating devices just prior to the final movement. Fig. 16 is an elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 15. Fig. 17is a plan and partial section of the parts in the position shown in Fig. 16; and Fig. 18 is an elevation and partial section at the main shaft and the bearings for one of the inner and outer wheels, also showing one hanger for one of the platforms, Figs. 7 to 18, inclusive, being of larger size than the preceding figures.

The main end frames a b are provided with bracket extensions 2 3.

0 represents the main shafts, supported in bearings centrally and at the upper ends of the main end frames, and d e are the supporting-wheels, having hubs and keyed upon the main shaft 0, as shown in Figs. 2 and 18, so as to turn with the said shaft. One end of the main shaft carries a worm-wheel 4, meshing with a worm 5 on one end of the power-shaft f. This power-shaft f passes through suitable bearings upon the main frame aand the bracket extension 2, and upon this power-shaft are fast and loose pulleys g and upon the end of the shaft a hand-wheel 6, that may be employed to impart limited amounts of movement to the machine. This hand-wheel may be removed when the machine is running by power.

We provide bearings 7, either formed with or secured to the inner faces of the main end frames at b, to receive the hubs or centers of the outer wheels h 2. These wheels h 1; are placed eccentric to the supporting-wheels d e, and we provide a series of hubs upon the wheels d e and h i at the junction of the arms thereof with the rims. Arms 8 are formed with studs, which studs pass through the hubs 9 of the wheels hi, and we employ short shafts 10, passing through the hubs of the wheels (Z c, and to these shafts the arms 8 are connected by pins. The end frames or hangers k are made with hubs, and through these hubs pass the short shafts 10, which are connected thereto in a fixed relation by any suitable mechanical device. The detail of these parts is shown in Fig. 18, where it will appear that there are heads on the shafts 10, coming against the hubs of the end frames or hangers 7s, and with the arms 8 connected to the shafts 10 it will be noticed that these parts are tied together, so that separation is impossible and yet a freedom of movement allowed to the various parts. These end frames or hangers 7c are alike, but of opposite form at the two ends of the machine. Each end frame or hanger comprises a portion which hangs vertical, a portion that extends upward and forward, and an edge flange that is inclined with reference to the Vertical parts, so that the left-hand end, as appearing in Fig. 1, is the lowest and the right-hand end the highest. This inclination is shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 8.

Platforms l extend across between the end frames or hangers, resting upon and secured to the edge flanges, and we prefer to place upon the platforms, which are preferably made of wood, a sheet orsurface of metal 16, (see Fig. 8,) and upon the same the pile of signatures rests, standing approximately vertical and on end. We provide partitions in the form of o en frames of metal between the end frames and located above the platforms Z. The partitions 13 are fixed, and they extend down to and rest upon the surface of the platforms, and the partitions 14 are placed between the fixed partitions 13, and they are adjustable and are shorter vertically than the fixed partitions 13. A longitudinal rod 11 extends through the upper portions of all the partitions and the upper portions of the end frames. A longitudinal rod 12 extends through the front portions of all the partitions and a rod 15 through the back portions of all the partitions, so that while the partitions are all suspended, as it were, from the rod 11 they are also directly connected by the rods 12 and 15, and the adjustable partitions 14move along freely upon the said rods.

In Fig. 8 we have shown a small set-screw as passing through a partition 13, with the point bearing against the rod 12. The partitions 14 are also provided with similar screws. These screws fix the positions of the partitions 13 upon the platforms, so as to place the same at equal distances apart. The partitions 14 are adjustably held in a predetermined position by the similar screws, which are readily loosened to shift the partitions 14 as desired.

The end frames or hangers k are at their forward ends provided with bearings for the rod 17, and we also prefer to form bearings for the said rod at the lower forward ends of the partitions 13 and to notch the metal plate 16 at intervals in the lengths of the platforms for the fingers 18, secured upon these rods 17, there being two or more of such fingers for each of the signature-carrying boxes, and these fingers are actuated by devices hereinafter described. Between the partitions 13 and across the adjustable partitions 14in each signature-carrying box we provide a feeding pusher-frame m and a sliding carriage 12, connected pivotally together by screws 19. The sliding carriage n is provided with rollers upon the respective corners, and the carriage extends across the signature-holding box between the fixed partitions 13, and the lower members of the fixed partitions 13 are made of T form in cross-section to provide slideways on opposite sides for the rollers of the sliding carriages, and the pusher 'm preferably occupies a slightly-inclined position and forms a backing for the standing signatures in the boxes, it being possible to so tighten the screws 19 that the frame m is held in a substantially fixed position with reference to the sliding carriage 'n, the said carriage and frame moving down the inclined platform with the signatures as the signatures are removed from the boxes by the suckers.

We provide a fixed bar 0, supported in the bracket extensions 2 3 of the main end frames; also a rocker-bar r and a shaft 3. 'Upon the fixed bar 0 is a series of frames 20 and a second series of frames 21 of different form, the bracket extensions supporting the fixed bar. 0, the rocker-bar r, and the shafts, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4. The series of frames 20 carry the devices for operating the suckers, and the series of frames 21 carry the valve-chambers and exhaustvalves and also have upright portions,through which the rocker-bar r passes. The frames 20, made alike, are each provided with portions forming bearings for the shafts and with rising arms carrying the bars 29, and cranks 22 are pivoted to the shaft 5 in the jaw ends of the frames 20, made for this purpose. The exhaust-air pipe tis supported in the frames 21 and extends across the machine, having a pipe (shown in Fig. '7) passing from the same to the pump employed for exhausting the air.

Upon the power-shaftf adjacent to its bearing upon the bracket extension 2 is a worm 23, and loosely upon the fixed bar 0 is a camwheel a, with a cam-rib 25 and adjacent peripheral depression and worm-wheel 24:, there being in one face of the cam a groove forthe roller 27, connected to the crank 49 upon the end of the shaft 8. The rotation of the shaft fand worm 23 turns the worm-wheel 24 and the cam-wheel u, swinging the cranks 49 and 22 and the shaft .9 with a forward-and-backward movement. The rocker-arm 26 on the end of the rocker-bar 'r is provided with rollers, and one of these rollers is short and. the other is long, and as the cam-wheel u is rotated the longer roller is raised by the camrib 25 and the shorter roller follows the depressed periphery of the cam-wheel 'Lt. This' construction is especially shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4. The movement thus imparted to the rollers consequently swings the rockerarm 26 and the bar a", imparting movements to spring-arms 37, hereinafter described.

Each of the frames 20, having bars 29, is provided with alongitudinally-movable frame 28, with hubs surrounding and slidable longitudinally upon the bars 29. The frame 28 is of open construction to receive therethrough the pivoted arms 30 and 31. These arms are pivoted at one end to a part of the frame 28, and their free ends are pivotally connected to the sucker 12. These parts are especially shown in Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 12, Fig. 9 showing the position of rest of the bars 30 31 and the sucker v, where the lower bar rests in the base of the open frame 28. The frames 28 are connected to the cranks 22 by links 51.

The sucker comprises a hollow plate having flanges, to which the ends of the arms 30 and 31 are pivotally connected, the sucker being provided with a series of perforations 32 in the face thereof. (See specially Fig. 10.) There are as many suckers in the machine as there are signature-carrying boxesupon a-single platform, and while in the machine we have shown three signature-holding boxes on each platform and three sucker devices it is to be understood that the machine may be lengthened to include any desired number of signature-carrying boxes to each platform, and, further, that it is preferable to employ the frames 20 and 28 and the arms 30 and 31 with the alternately-placed suckers and not with every sucker employed, all of the suckers being fastened to a bar 33, supporting the same and to which they are rigidly fixed. Consequently the bar swings as the sucker swings, and it is not necessary to employ as many frames 28 and bars 30 and 31 as there are suckers, it being a fact that a few of these devices are sufficient to operate all the suckers. A flexible exhaust-pipe 34 passes from a pipe on the back of the sucker to a pipe on the valve-case. In this valvecase is a valve 36, connected to a piston-rod 35, passing through a packing-sleeve 38, there being an opening in the upper end of the piston-rod to receive one end of a spring-arm 37,, the other end of the spring-arm 37 being secured to the rocker-hart". The air-exhaust pipe fcommunicates through an opening with the chamber holdingthe valve 36, and there is a seat in this valve-chamber for the lower end of the valve, and the lower end of the packing-sleeve is provided with a true fiat surface, forming a seat for the valve in its raised position, and there is an opening 39 for air in the sleeve 38.

We provide a roughened surface or pins 50 upon the face of the sucker adjacent to the bar 33, and these bear upon the surface of the signature to hold the signature while the sucker is swinging the lower portion. \Ve provide arms 40, fixed to the bar 0 adjacent to the respective ends of the machine, and these bars extend forward toward the position of the platforms as they progressively advance with the rotary movement of the machine. These arms are provided with parallel slots at different heights. (See Figs. 13 and 15.) In these slots we place adjustable stop-bars 41 and 42, held in place by clamp-nuts and having ends that project from one face of the said arms 40. The lower and advancing ends of the hangers 79 adjacent to the end frames a b are each provided with an upward extension, and to these extensions, by pivots 4b, are secured eccentric disks &5, and there are pins 47 and 48 projecting from the opposite faces of said eccentric disks. A crank 43 and. link 4i are pivoted together, and at their respective ends the crank is connected to the rod 17 and the link pivoted to said eccentric disk 45. This device is employed for swinging the fingers 18. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 13 the finger 18 is so placed as to come against the lower end of the outermost signature. As the platform rises the pin 48 strikes the stop 41, swinging the eccentric disk 45 and turning down the fingers 18 into the position shown in Fig. 14:. This movement is imparted at the time that the sucker presses against the outermost signature preparatory to turning the same outward into the position shown in Fig. 8. As the platform rises the pin 47 strikes the stop-bar 42 and the eccentric disk is turned back to the original position, in which the fingers 18 are brought to an uppermost position against the signatures. This complete movement is given in the movementbetween the level of the stops l1 and 42, the rotary movementimparted by the machine to the platforms changing the vertical plane of the pins 17 and 48, so that they not only strike the adjustable stop-bars 41 and 42, but slide off from underneath the same and pass by.

Fig. 1 illustrates the inclined position of the Various signature-supporting platforms, the fact that they are all at'the same inclination regardless of the position they occupy in rotation, and the arms 8 connecting the wheels cl and h and e and i being operated upon by the wheels d and e in a pushing and pulling direction to maintain the eccentrically-placed wheels h and 1' in a fixed and unchangeable relation to the wheels d and c, it being a fact that the distance from the axial center of the shaft 10 to the axial center of the stud on the arms 8 agrees exactly with the difference be tween the axial center of the main shaft 0 and the imaginary axial center of the bearing upon which the wheels 7L and 71 are mounted, so that the respective wheels 7L and 2 maintain a fixed rotary relation to the wheels d and c to keep the platforms always in the same plane regardless of their position as they rotate with the wheels.

The parts are so timed with their movement that the rocker-arm 26 is moved by the cam-rib 25 at the right point to actuate the rocker-bar r and swing the spring-arms 37 to raise and lower the piston-rod 35 and valve 36 to allow the operation of the exhaust to work upon the sucker in the position Fig. 11 and at the same time close off the entrance of air through the opening 39, and with the movement of the rocker-bar r and arms 37 in the opposite direction the valve 36 is pressed down and the air admitted through the opening 39 to release the grip of the sucker upon the signatures, so that they fall.

From the position shown in Fig. 9, where the sucker is in a practically vertical position at rest, the parts are so timed that the crank 49, operated upon by the cam-groove in the cam-wheel u, actuates the shafts and cranks 22 and moves forward the frames 28 with the arms 30 31 and sucker o and supporting-bar 33 progressively to meet each oncoming and rising platform of signature-carrying boxes,

the bar 33 entering the grooves in the frames 13 and 14, (shown in Fig. 8,) pressing the suckers against the outermost signatures, at which time the exhaust takes effect and the suckers grip the signatures. As the plat forms rise this movement raises the suckers through the bar 33, swinging the pivoted arms 30 and 31 from the position Fig. 9 to the position Fig. 8, in which the lower arms draw the lower portion of the suckers back, swinging the same on the bar 33, and this movement swings out the lower ends of the outermost signatures into the position shown in Fig. 8, the fingers 18 having been previously released and afterward closing, as heretofore described. As the platform continues its upward movement it draws away from the rod 33 and the same passes out of the slots in the frames 13 and 14: and falls to its original position, Fig. 9. At this time the exhaust is closed, and, the air being admitted, the suckers let go their hold and release the signatures and the same drop. These movements are progressively repeated as each platform of signature-carrying boxes rises, with the rotary movement, to place.

lVe have not shown any device into which the signatures removed from the boxes are delivered nor any device for carrying the same away, as these form no part of our present invention and may be any one of the devices heretofore employed in the art and adapted for use therewith.

With this form of machine the signaturecarrying boxes can be filled upon the side of the machine opposite to that on which the suckers are working, and one attendant can be filling the platforms as the same come around in their circular arrangement, and in this way the various boxes can be kept as full as desired, this not in any respect interfering with the action of the suckers on the opposite side of the machine in engaging one signature in each box of a platform and simultaneously removing from each platform as many signatures as there are boxes.

We claim as our invention 1. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with a series of platforms and signature-boxes thereon, of means for supporting said platforms in a circular form means for maintaining said platforms at the same inclination and means forprogressively advancing the said platforms, suckers agreeing in number with the number of signaturecarrying boxes on each platform, and means for operating the same, substantially as set forth.

2. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with a series of platforms and signature-boxes thereon, of means for supporting said platforms in a circular form, means for maintaining said platforms at the same inclination and means for progressively advancing the said platforms, suckers agreeing in number with the number of signaturecarrying boxes on each platform, means for moving the suckers for timing the said movement and for swinging the suckers as they engage the signatures, and means for controlling the air-exhaust in connection therewith, substantially as set forth.

3. In a signature-gathering machine, a series of circularly-placed parallel platforms and devices supported thereby for separating the signatures into groups and for controlling the position and movement of the signatures, devices for supporting the said series of platforms and devices for maintaining the same at like inclinations and for carrying the same around progressively in a rotary direction, substantially as set forth.

4. In a signature-gathering machine, a series of circularly-placed parallel platforms and means supported thereby for groups of signatures, devices for supporting the said series of platforms, for maintaining the same at like inclinations and for carrying the same around progressively in a rotary direction, devices for progressively advancing the signatures upon the platforms, suckers and means for timing and advancing the same with the advancing movement of the platforms for removing from each platform simultaneously the outermost signatures, devices acting in connection therewith for controlling the air-exhaust, and for holding and releasing the lower ends of the signatures, substantially as set forth.

5. In a signature-gatheringmachine, the combination with end frames and a main shaft, of supporting-wheels secured to the said shaft, and means for rotating the said shaft and wheels, a pair of wheels placed eccentrically to the supporting-wheels outside of the same and freely mounted upon bearings on the end frames, pivotal devices connecting the respective supporting and outer wheels in pairs whereby the supportingwheels turn the outer wheels and the wheels maintain a fixed relation to one another, a series of platforms and means for supporting the same from and by the devices connecting the said wheels, partitions upon said platforms for receiving groups of signatures, whereby with the rotation of said wheels the platforms are all maintained at the same inclination to horizontal and vertical lines throughout their entire rotary movement, substantially as set forth.

6. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with end frames or hangers 7c and platformslextendingacross between and connected to the end frames, of partitions upon the platforms spaced apart and dividing up the platforms to receive piles of signatures, means for connecting the partitions together and to the end frames, the supporting-Wheels d e, their shaft 0 and means for turning the shaft, the outer wheels h i and bearings therefor placed eccentric to the wheels d 6, short shafts 10 through the wheels 61 'e and by which the end frames are pivoted, arms fixed to and extending from said short shafts to and having studs passing through hearings in the wheels 71 t' whereby with the movement of the Wheels d e the arms 8 turn the outer wheels h iso that as the said platforms are carried around in. the machine they always maintain the same inclination to vertical and horizontal lines and their movement is steady and without swinging or vibration, substantially as set forth.

7. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with the end frames or hangers k, the platformslextending across between and connected to the said end frames and rods 11 connecting the upper ends of the said end frames, of the rods 12 15 extending longitudinally of the platforms, the partitions 13 at spaced-apart intervals resting upon the platforms and through which the said rods pass, and partitions 14 supported by the said rods, and movable thereon for adjusting the distance between the partitions 13 and 14 to receive groups of signatures, means substantially as shown and described for supporting the platforms in series and for carrying the same around in a circular path and means coacting therewith by which the platforms are maintained at a fixed inclination to vertical and horizontal lines,substantially asset/forth.

8. In a signature gathering machine, the combination with the en'dframes or hangers 7c, the platforms Z extending across between and connected to the said end frames and rods 11 connecting the upper ends of the said end frames, of the rods 12 15 extending longitudinally of the platforms, the partitions 13 at spaced-apart intervals resting upon the platforms and through which the said rods pass, and partitions 14 supported by the said rods and movable thereon for adjusting the distance between the partitions 13 and 14 to receive groups of signatures, sliding carriages and feeding pusher-frames pivotally connected thereto and located between the fixed partitions 13 and serving as supports for the groups of signatures and for progressively advancing the same,the bases of the fixed partitions forming slideways for the said carriages, means substantially as shown and described for supporting the platforms in series and for carrying the same aroundin a circular path and means coacting therewith by which the said platforms are maintained at a fixed inclination to vertical and horizontal lines, substantially as set forth.

9. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with a platform Z, of end frames or hangers 7c pivotally supported and to which the ends of the platforms are connected, rods 11 connecting the upper ends of the said end frames, partitions 13 resting upon the said platform at spaced apart intervals and through the upper ends of which the rods 11' pass, the lower members of said partitions being in cross-section the form of a letter T,

so that slideways are formed between the faces of opposite partitions, the rods 12 and 15 passing through opposite ends of the said partitions, adjustable partitions let between the fixed partitions and guided by the said rods 12 and which pass through the same, means for securing the adjustable partitions in a fixed relation to the rod 12, sliding carriages upon the surface of the platform between the fixed partitions, and rollers carried thereby in the slideways at the bases of said partitions, frames in occupying an inclined position to a vertical plane and pivotallyconnected to the said carriages and moving therewith, a rod 17 and fingers 18 thereon, means for swinging the said rod to move the fingers upward to engage the lower ends of the signatures or downward to release the same, and means for supporting the platforms, substantially as set forth.

10. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with a platform I, of end frames or hangers k pivotallysupported and to which the ends of the platforms are connected rods 11 connecting the upper ends of the said end frames, partitions 13 resting upon thesaid platform at spaced apart intervals and through the upper ends of which the rods 11 pass, the lower members of said partitions being in cross-section the form of a letter T, so that slideways are formed between the faces of opposite partitions, the rods 12 and 15 passing through opposite ends of the said partitions, adjustable partitions 14 between the fixed partitions and guided by the said rods 12 and 15 which pass through the same, means for securing the adjustable partitions in a fixed relation to the rod 12, sliding carriages upon the surface of the platform between the fixed partitions, and rollers carried thereby in the slideways at the bases of said partitions, frames m occupying an inclined position to a vertical plane and pivotally connected to the said carriages and moving therewith, a rod 17 and fingers 18 thereon, means for swinging the said rod to move the fingers upward to engage the lower ends of the signatures or downward to release the same, means for supporting the platforms, a rod 33, a series of suckers mounted upon and secured to the said rod, there being grooves in the said fixed and adjustable partitions to receive the said rod 33, and means for moving the said sucker and rod toward the partitions and against the signatures in the respective receptacles of the platform, substantially as set forth.

11. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with a series of signature-supporting platforms and means for imparting a rotary carrying movement thereto, of a supporting-bar 0, a frame 20 connected thereto and having upwardly-extending arms, and bars 29 between the arms, a frame 28 with hubs surrounding and longitudinally movable upon the bars 29, said frame being of open form, arms 31 pivoted at one end to the frame 28 and movable longitudinally with the frame 28 and vertically through the same, a sucker pivoted to the free ends of said arms and secured to a bar 33, means for moving the frame 28 with the sucker toward the signatures and for swinging the said sucker after the same contacts with the signature, substantially as set forth.

12. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with a series of suckers, a bar to which the same are pivoted, pivotal devices carrying the said suckers and adapted to impart thereto a horizontal movement, and means connected therewith for effecting the air-exhaust, of a series of supported platforms, means for maintaining the platforms at constant equal inclinations to the horizontal, means for progressively carrying the series of platforms around in the machine, means for engaging the bar to which the suckers are secured with the rising advancing movement of each platform, and for timing the parts so that the series of suckers come against the signatures upon the platform and a swinging movement is imparted thereto to move outward the lower ends of the outermost signatures and to thereafter remove the said signatures from the pileof signatures on the platform, substantially as set forth.

13. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with a supporting-bar, of a frame 20 with upwardly-extending arms and bars 29 connected to said arms and forming slideways, an open frame 28 longitudinally movable between the bars 29 and having hubs through which said bars pass, a sucker and arms 30 31 pivoted at one end to the sucker and at the other ends to the frame 28 and movable vertically through the frame 28, a shafts, a crank 22 on the shaft and a link from the crank to the frame 28, and means for turning the shaft 8 back and forth to impart a longitudinal forward-and-backward movement to the frame 28 and the sucker, substantially as set forth.

14. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with the supporting-bar 0, of a frame 21 having an upright portion, the airexhaust pipe t passing through a part of said frame and supported thereby, said frame having an opening and forming a valve-chamber, a packing-sleeve 38 having an air-opening, a piston-rod 35 passing down through the sleeve and a valve 36 at the lower end thereof, a seat for the valve at opposite sides to close oi the air in one position and the exhaust in the other position, and means for moving the piston rod 35 vertically, substantially as set forth.

15. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with the supporting-bar o, of a frame 21 having an upright portion, the airexhaust pipe t passing through a part of said frame and supported thereby, said frame having an opening and forming a valve-chamber, a packing-sleeve 38 having an air-opening, a piston-rod 35 passing down through the sleeve and a valve 36 at the lower end thereof, a seat for the valve at opposite sides to close 0d the air in one position and the ex- IIO haust in the other position, a rocker-bar r and a spring-arm extending from the rockerbar and passing through a mortise in the upper end of the piston-rod 35, and means for swinging the rocker-bar to raise and lower the piston and effect the operations of the exhaust, substantially as set forth.

16. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with the supporting-bar o, of a frame 21 having an upright portion, the airexhaust pipe 25 passing through a part of said frame and supported thereby, said frame having an opening and forming a valve-chamher, a packing-sleeve 38 having an air-opening, a piston-rod 35 passing down through the sleeve and a valve 36 at the lower end thereof. a seat for the valve at opposite sides to close off the air in one position and the exhaust in the other position, a rocker-bar r and a spring-arm extending from the rockerbar and passing through a mortise in the upper end of the piston-rod 35, a rocker-arm 26 on one end of the rocker-bar r, and a camwheel and cam-rib on the periphery thereof for effecting the movement of the rocker-arm 26 and the bar r for raising and lowering the piston-rod and effecting the operations of the valve, substantially as set forth.

17. In a signaturegathering machine, the combination with a platform and partitions thereon forming receptacles for groups of signatures, of a bar 17 and hearings therefor supported by said platform, fingers connected to said bar and adapted to form stops for the lower ends of the signatures, means for imparting to said rod 17 a turning movement in opposite directions for effecting the movement of the fingers, and means connected to the frame of the machine and adapted to effeet the movement of the aforesaid rod-turning devices, substantially as set forth.

18. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with a platform and a series of partitions thereon forming receptacles for groups of signatures, of a rod 17 and hearings therefor supported by the platform, fingers 18 connected to said rod, a crank connected at one end of the rod 17, an eccentric pivoted disk 45, a link pivoted respectively to the crank and disk, pins at opposite points upon the surface of said disk, and means for effecting contact progressively with the said pins for swinging the disk and through the link and crank turning the bar 17 and moving the fingers 18, substantially as set forth.

19. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with a platform and a series of partitions thereon forming receptacles for groups of signatures, of a rod 17 and bearings therefor supported by the platform, fingers 18 connected to said rod, a crank connected at one end of the rod 17, an eccentric pivoted disk 45, a link pivoted respectively to the crank and disk, pins at opposite points upon the surface of said disk, an arm fixed to the machine and adjustable stop-bars connected to said arm at varying heights and in parallel planes and adapted to contact with the pins of the said disk to move first one and then the other in swinging the disk and effecting the movement of the fi ngers, substantially as set forth.

20. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with a platform and a series of partitions thereon forming receptacles for groups of signatures, of a rod 17 and hearings therefor supported by the platform, fingers 18 connected to said 'rod, a crank connected at one end of the rod 17, an eccentric pivoted disk 45, a link pivoted respectively to the crank and disk, pins at opposite points upon the surface of said disk, means for effecting contact progressively with the said pins for swinging the disk and through the links turning the bar 17 and moving the fingers 18, an arm secured to a fixed portion of the machine and having parallel slots at different heights, adjustable stop-bars in said slots having projecting ends and means for securing the same in place at different horizontal planes, whereby one of said pins comes in contact with one of the stop-bars to swing the eccentric disk 0 in one direction and then the other pin comes in contact with the other stop-bar to return the said disk to the original position and so to turn the rod 17 and operate the fingers 18 to form stops for the lower ends of the signatures or to release the same, substantially as set forth.

21. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with a bar 33, of a series of suckers c rigidly connected to said bar, pivotal supports for the said suckers, supports for groups of signatures and means for turning the bar 33 and swinging the suckers of the group, roughened surfaces or pins 50 upon the face of the suckers adjacent to the said rod whereby the said surface or pins take a hold upon the outermost signatures and press against the same while with the swinging movement of the group of suckers holding the signatures below the contact of the parts 50 the same are swung outward without disturbing the upper portions of the signatures, substantially as set forth.

22. In a signature-gathering machine, the combination with a series of suckers horizontally arranged, a bar upon which the series of suckers is secured, means for imparting a longitudinal forward-and-backward movement to the suckers and means for effecting their air-exhaust, of a series of platforms having partitions forming receptacles for horizontally-arranged groups of sign atures,means for supporting the platforms in a circular form, coacting means for maintaining the platforms at constant equal inclinations to the horizontal and progressively carrying the v each platform are simultaneously removed in progressive order with the rotation of the platforms, substantially as set forth.

23. In a device for handling a pile of signatures separately, the combination of a sucker and devices for exhausting the air, a pivotal support for such sucker and devices for moving the support and the sucker toward and away from the pile of signatures, means operating when the sucker contacts with the outermost signature for hearing against the signature at a point above the sucker, and means for simultaneously swinging the lower edge of the signature by the sucker on said bearing-point as a fulcrum, substantially as specified.

24. In a signature-gathering machine, a series of suckers horizontally arranged, a bar upon which the suckers are secured, means for imparting a longitudinal forward-andbackward movement to the suckers, means for efiecting their air-exhaust, means for pressing said bar against the signatures and si m ultaneously swinging said suckers to bend out the lower portions of the signatures, substantially as specified.

Signed by us this 2d day of February, 1901.

DAVID MCCONNELL SMYTI-I. DAVID G. SMYTH.

HERBERT HASTINGS.

'Witnesses as to the signature of David M00. Smyth:

JOHN MCDONALD, P. J. CHRIST. \Vitnesses as to the signatures of David G. Smyth and Herbert Hastings:

W. M. STORES, L. TORRANCE. 

